New Games To Watch For pt. 6 - Left 4 Dead 2

The zombie apocalypse's answer to 50 cent, what better way to start your release with a bang than by having your game banned in Australia? Although (hopefully) only temporary, this ban will undoubtedly serve as more of a bad-boy launching tool for Valve's new game than a hinderance. Set in Southern USA, possibly New Orleans, this time the four new survivors must mash their way through hordes of zombies with familiar weapons, and a few not-so familiar. With the addition of several new ammunition-based weapons, they are complimented by a new variety of melee weapons, such as the chainsaw, baseball bat and frying pan.

With Left 4 Dead receiving some bad reviews for its' limited gameplay and low contrast of zombies and weapons, it's also good to hear that several new types of zombies are included. These include spitters, similar to boomers but with acid instead of vomit (undoubtedly to reduce the amount of corner-camping); chargers, similar to tanks except faster and with one larger arm to knock survivors over; and strangely, the jockey, a kind of weird-looking zombie which jumps on your back and steers you into other zombies and obstacles. These, combined with level-specific zombies, such as mudmen and Hazmat-garbed zombies, should make for more varied and interesting play.

Much of the story, campaign and gameplay is still rumour and guesses, especially since Valve is under pressure to change the game to a less violent version in order to market in Australia. There has been speculation that the health packs and pills will be gone for the next installment, instead replaced with adrenaline to help burst out of zombie crowds with the new melee weaponry. However, more likely, you'll have to choose which you can carry. The five campaign levels have been named as 'Dead Centre', a shopping mall ala Dead Rising styles; 'Dark Carnival', which awesomely, will take place in a fairground - yes think clown zombies; 'Swamp Fever', obviously in a swamp; 'Hard Rain', an industrial-based level; and 'The Parish' which is based around a church. Not much change to the game modes, although rumours of a Scavenger and Realistic mode have risen.

And finally the survivors themselves: A black coach called, go figure, Coach; Rochelle, a black television reporter; Ellis, a mechanic; and Nick, who has been described as a con/gambler. And so the pieces are there. The survivors, the zombies, the gameplay. The question is, will the public buy Left 4 Dead 2 after its' predecessor was released not too long ago? It is indeed a mystery why Valve decided to release number two so quickly after the first - maybe they realized that the zombie market is one which only they and a select few others fill and wanted to bring a new game to replace the outdated and severely limited gameplay of Left 4 Dead's first title. Or maybe they just wanted more dough for their back pockets. Whatever the case, Left 4 Dead 2 is definitely a game to watch for and hopefully I'll be buying it instead of just watching.